Combination preschool toy vehicle and launching station

ABSTRACT

A combination preschool toy vehicle and launching station set characterized by the provision of an enclosure having a top with a drum rotatably mounted on the top. Both the drum and the top have alignable openings of different shapes. Further included are different block-like pieces with shapes corresponding to the openings in the drum and the top of the enclosure so that when the drum and top openings are in register the blocks or playing pieces may fall therethrough. In addition, vehicles that are provided with the set have different shaped openings which correspond to the shape of the blocks and the openings in the top and drum for receiving the blocks as they fall through the openings in the top. Also, the enclosure is provided with audible signal means and a door that is associated with a trip mechanism for striking the rear of the vehicles and imparting rolling action thereto when the door is lifted and moved to a raised position.

United States Patent 1 Glass et al. 1 Jan. I, 1974 COMBINATION PRESCHOOL TOY [57] ABSTRACT VEHICLE AND LAUNCIIING STATION [75] Inventors: Marvin I. Glass, Chicago; Palmer A (iombination pres.chool my i and launching schoenfield Evanston both of I". station set character zed by the provision of an enclosure having a top with a drum rotatably mounted on [73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates, the top. Both the drum and the top have alignable Chicago, Ill. openings of different shapes. Further included are different block-like pieces with shapes corresponding to [22] Fned: Sept 1972 the openings in the drum and the top of the enclosure [211 App]. No.: 288,931 so that when the drum and top openings are in register the blocks or playing pieces may fall therethrough. In addition, vehicles that are provided with the set have ((jil 46/202, 462 different Shaped openings whichlcorrspond to the [58] Fieid 1 K 12 shape of the hlocks and the openings in the top and drum for receiving the blocks as they fall through the openings in the top. Also, the enclosure is provided References Cited gwith audible signal means and a door that is associated with a trip mechanism for striking the rear of the vehi- UNITED STATES PATENTS cles and imparting rolling action thereto when the 2,522,160 9/1950 Burchers 46/12 door is lifted and moved to a raised position. 359! ,977 7/197] Disko et al 46/202 X Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant E amirrep-Q. I weinhold Att0mey.|ames F. Coffee et al.

2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures e i 86a 96 42a 90 [I I 36 X I r 7 Kim A l\ t i '1 36b) 110 10a 26 263 114 He COMBINATION PRESCHOOL TOY VEHICLE AND LAUNCHING STATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to toy vehicles and companion enclosures in the form of a launching station.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Patents on toy vehicles relating to combination toy vehicles and launching devices including the following:

U.S. Pat. No. S. Tepper et a1. 5/26/70 3,514,108 .1. Beny et a1. 12/22/70 3,548,534 G. Clowes l/5/71 3,552,322 .1. Beny et a1. 2/2/71 3,559,334 T.'E. See 2/2/71 3,559,335 J. Beny et a1. 2/16/71 3,562,949 1. McRoskey 2/23/71 3,565,430 .1. Beny et a1. 6/22/71 3,585,751 S. Kupperman et a1. 6/28/71 3,588,107 .1. Beny et a1. 7/6/71 3,590,524 R. Carver et al. 8/17/71 3,599,365 E. Faller 8/24/71 3,600,849 \V. Summerfield et 31. 8/24/71 3,600,850 T. See et 211. 9/20/71 3,605,631 .1. Cooper et a1. 11/9/71 3,618,947 S. Tepper et a1. 11/23/71 3,622,158 C. Edwards et a1. 12/21/71 3,628,725 R. Lohr et a1. 1/25/72 3,636,651 A. Sims et a1. 2/15/72 3,641,704

Generally speaking, itis known to provide toy vehicles with specific receptacles to receive specific shaped blocks or objects. Also, it is known to provide enclosures fo toy vehicles which may include accelerating or propelling means. Toy vehicles and lauching devices therefor are well received in the art and therefor it is the object of this invention to provide a combination toy vehicle launching station set which includes means for random dispensation of simulated loads into the toy vehicles, audible signal means in combination with the random dispensation means and a subsequent launching device therefor.

SUMMARY OF THE iNvENTioN This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of an improved combination toy vehicle and launching enclosure.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention includes provision of an enclosure which simulates a garage having a roof with a recessed area therein and different geometric shaped openings extending therethrough. A drum is rotatably mounted in the roof recess and also provided with different shaped receptacles therein corresponding to the different shaped receptacles on the roof. A plurality of blocks of different shapes are provided for insertion into the drum receptacles. As the drum is rotated, each of the receptacles thereof will come in registry with the openings in the roof and the blocks may fall therethrough.

The interior of the enclosure is provided with vehicle receiving areas and vehicles which have receptacles of a size and shape corresponding to that of the blocks and the openings and receptacles of the roof and drum so that, as the blocks fall through, they may be received in the vehicles. Sound means in the form of a serrated edge on the drum, a tracking hammer, and a spaced bell are also provided so as the drum is rotated in order to cause the blocks to fall in the vehicles, the bell will continue to ring.

In addition, the enclosure is provided with a front door which is associated with a rear kick plate by a movable bar so that the movable bar is engaged by the front door as the front door is moved to an open, or retracted, position so that the rear kick plate advances forwardly and strikes vehicles held in the enclosure, and initiates movement of the vehicles outwardly therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS F IG. 1 is a perspective view of the enclosure utilized with the combination of this invention, showing the front door in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to Flg. 1 showing the door opened with the vehicles positioned exteriorly in the enclosure.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded view, partially broken away in section, of the enclosure or launching station utilized in the combination of this invention, and

FIG. 6 is a. fragmentary enlarged view, partially in section of the sound producing components of the combination of this invention.

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The toy combination 10 of this invention includes means 12 generally defining a housing or enclosure, simulating a garage or launching station, and a pair of vehicles 14 and 16 intended for use therewith. In addition, playing pieces or blocks 18, 20, 22 and 24 of different geometrical configuration are provided. For example, block 18 is a regular square tetrahedron, block 20 is a semi-cylinder, block 22 is a cylinder, and block 24 is a regular rectangular tetrahedron.

Housing 12 includes a base 26 including a pair of raised islands 26a and 26b, which generally define parking or receiving areas for each of the vehicles 14 and 16. In addition, the housing 12 includes upstanding side walls 28, 30, and 32 and an opening 34 which may be spanned by a movable door 36. Door 36 includes a top 36a, bottom 36b and an outwardly projecting handle 38 for grasping the door. Door 36 is notched at its opposite ends near top 36a as shown as 40. Notches 40 are intended to be mounted on, and track on, the guide ribs 42a and 42b which project inwardly from the side walls 28 and 32 of the enclosure 12.

The top of the walls 28, 30, and 32 of housing 12 is spanned by a roof 44. Roof 44 has a cylindrical recess 46 therein comprised of side wall 48 and a bottom 50. A rotatable drum or cylinder 52 is received within recess 46 and includes a top surface 54 and an anular depending side flange 56, preferably having a serrated edge 56a as sown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cylinder 52 is provided with a hub portion 58 which, on the outer side is provided with grasping knob 58a. Hub 58 is received in the hollow boss 60 which extends upwardly from the bottom 50 of the recess 46. Hub 58 terminates in a reduced end 62 which extends through an opening 64 in the bottom of boss 60 and is secured by means of a screw and washer arrangement 66 which extends from the underside of bottom 50 into the reduced end 62 to rotatably mount the cylinder or drum 52 in the recess 46.

The bottom 50 of the recess 46 in roof 44 is provided with a plurality of openings of different geometrical shapes, such as the openings 68, 70, 72, and 74 and, the drum 52 is provided with like shaped receptacles 78, 80, 82,and 84, respectively, with the receptacles in the drum and the holes in the roof corresponding to the configuration of the blocks or pieces 18, 20, 22, 24, respectively. Thus as the drum 52 is rotated, each of the receptacles 78 through 84 may come into registration with one of the openings 68 through 74 and one of the blocks or playing pieces 18 through 24 may fall therethrough into the interior of the enclosure 12.

A pair of L-shaped brackets 86a and 86b depend from the underside of the bottom 50 of the roof 44. A slide bar 90 is reciprocally mounted between the L- shaped brackets 86a and 86b for to and fro movement with respect to the front door 36 and rear wall 30. Slide bar 90 has a forward downwardly protruding lip 90:: which is intended for engagement with the top 36a of the door 36.

A kick plate 92 is pivoted, as shown at 94a and 94b, between the side walls 28 and 32 adjacent to the rear wall 30 of the enclosure. The kick plate is mounted for movement between a retracted position, wherein the bottom of the kick plate is adjacent the wall 30 and generally closely adjacent to or in engagement with the rear ofa vehicle 14 or 16 which is positioned in the enclosure; and an extended position, wherein the bottom is forced away from the rear wall 30 and therefore tends to push vehicles outwardly of the enclosure. The kickplate 92 has a forward lip 96 which is positioned for engagement with the end of the slide bar 90 for moving the bottom of the kickplate 92 between the two positions as previously described. Thus, when the door 36 is lifted and moved to the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 2, the top edge 36a of the door 36 will engage the forward lip 90a of the slide bar 90, which, in turn, will cause the slide bar 90 to engage th lip 96 of the kickplate 92 causing the bottom of the kickplate to move forwardly and thus push the vehicles 14 and 16 outwardly of the enclosure.

Each of the vehicles 14 and 16 are substantially identical, having a body 102 and 104 generally of a blocklike configuration. Each body has a forward axle 106 which supports a pair of forward wheels 110, and a rear axle 114 which supports a pair of rear wheels 118. Preferably the axles are rotatably mounted so that the wheels may rotate relative to a supporting surface. Generally speaking, the only difference between the bodies 102 and 104 is that of the receiving areas for the blocks 18 through 22. specifically, vehicle 14 is provided with receptacles for receiving areas 120 and 122 which are of a size and shape to correspond with the configuration of blocks 18 and and the body 104 is provided with receiving areas or receptacles 124 and 126 which are generally of a size and shape in configuration to receive the playing pieces or blocks 22 and 24. As the drum 52 is rotated and the receptacles of the drum are brought into alignment with the openings in the bottom of the roof, and as the playing pieces fall through, they will be received only at specific receiving areas of one of the two vehicles. This form of random dispensation may be provided for fonning a means of placing the vehicles in a condition of readiness.

Further included in the combination of this invention is a sound producing means or an audible signal producing means 128. Included in means 128 is an opening 130 which is formed in the side wall 48 of the roof recess. A sounding element, preferably in the form of a bell 132, is mounted below the roof adjacent to the opening 130 in side wall 48. An arm 134 is provided with a follower 136 which tracks on the serrated edge 56a of the drum 52 and is movable about a mounting with the boss 138 so that hammer 140 may intermittently engage the bell 132 as the follower 136 tracks on the serrated edge 56a of drum 52 as the drum is rotated.

Thus, during the use of the combination of this invention, participants may first insert the toy vehicles 14 and 16 into the interior of the enclosure over the area of islands 26a and 26b which serve as an initial registration means. The blocks 18 through 22 may then be placed within the receptacles 78 through 82, following which rotation of the drum 52 may be commenced. During rotation of the drum, the sound producing means is activated inthat the follower 136 tracks on the serrated edge 56 causing the hammer 140 to strike the bell 132 repeatedly. As each of the receptacles 78 through 84 of the drum comes into registration with the openings 68 through 74 in the roof, the blocks 18 through 24 will fall therethrough and into the specific receptacles and receiving areas 120 and 126 in the vehicles l4 and 16. Once the participants see that the ve hicles are loaded or ready, the door 36 may be raised by grasping on handle 38. As the door is pushed to its fully open position, the top edge 36a of the door will strike the forward end of lip 90a of the slide bar 90, causing the opposite end thereof to strike the lip 96 of the kick plate 92 which, in turn, will push the vehicles 14 and 16 outwardly of the opening.

Thus it can be seen that the combination of this invention provides a fascinating toy, particularly suitable for use with preschool children, in that the children may experience the concept of an emergency station being prepared during which time an alarm-like sound is given off, and following which the vehicles are launched outwardly of the station. Yet the entire structure is of simplified and rugged construction in that no electrical circuitry is involved and that the several mechanical linkages will be reliable and of increased life in operation, due to the basic simplified interrelationship of the several movable and actuable components.

The foregoing description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. in combination, a toy vehicle and launching station therefore, comprising: means defining a toy vehicle having a body with playing piece receiving areas of different configurations thereon; means defining an enclosure including a toy vehicle receiving station, supporting walls and a top, said top having openings therein of a size and shape related to said receiving areas of said vehicle; a random dispensation means movably mounted on said top and including receiving areas of 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said enclosure is provided with movable door means and an interrelated movable launching arm with the launching arm being positioned for movement through the toy vehicles receiving station responsive to opening of the door means to push vehicles outwardly of the door means to push vehicles outwardly of the enclosure after the door is moved to an open position. 

1. In combination, a toy vehicle and launching station therefore, comprising: means defining a toy vehicle having a body with playing piece receiving areas of different configurations thereon; means defining an enclosure including a toy vehicle receiving station, supporting walls and a top, said top having openings therein of a size and shape related to said receiving areas of said vehicle; a random dispensation means movably mounted on said top and including receiving areas of a size and shape corresponding to the openings on the top and the receiving areas in the toy vehicle, said random dispensation means being movable for positioning said receiving areas in registration with the openings at the top to allow dispensation of articles therethrough, and a plurality of playing pieces of a size and shape corresponding to said receiving areas and openings for dispensation into said toy vehicle responsive to movement of said random dispensation means.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said enclosure is provided with movable door means and an interrelated movable launching arm with the launching arm being positioned for movement through the toy vehicle''s receiving station responsive to opening of the door means to push vehicles outwardly of the door means to push vehicles outwardly of the enclosure after the door is moved to an open position. 